Posted: 3/14/07
NB choir director is honored
 North Branch choir director Renee King is congratulated by Minnesota Music Education Association past president Ann Pesavento after receiving her award. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
It's not often that people get to combine true passions with necessity and create not just a job or career, but a life that is rewarding on all levels. Not only has North Branch High School choir director Renee King managed to create this rarest of circumstances, this February she was recognized as one the state's finest when the Minnesota Music Education Association recognized her as the choral Educator of the Year.
"I'm still kind of in shock," said King on Thursday. "There is so many people doing great work, to be singled out like that is definitely a high point for me."
It doesn't take long to see how the puzzle fits together. King talks about music as if it were a living thing, with the power to comfort, make change, or create joy or sadness, or both. She is not a teacher who loves music, she is a musician who loves teaching.
"Music reaches so many people on an emotional level. It transcends many things," she said. For instance, preparing and performing music often times creates relationships that go beyond those usually formed between teacher and student. Oftentimes, when she receives cards or letters from students present and past, they thank King for being not only a teacher, but a friend. "I'm always kind of surprised, because I don't really see myself as a friend.
"Making music forms a connection. When you make music there is a sense of being in it together. You can look each other in the eye and see it. It's an amazing thing," she explained.
King has known she wanted to be a teacher since the was in the sixth grade. As is often the case, she was inspired by one of her teachers. But it wasn't until she was in high school that she would marry a desire to teach with a growing love of music. It was also at that time, the mid-1960s, that she begun to see women breaking barriers. She benefited from having a female choir director, which she noted was rare for the time. She also performed with a choir called "Up With People," a show choir that toured with a positive message.
King started her teaching career in 1973, at Holy Rosary in Duluth, while she did graduate work at the University of Minnesota Duluth. From there she moved on to Isanti Middle School, before landing at North Branch Middle School in 1981. In 1985, the high school choir position opened up.
"I never saw myself as a high school director. I'm a teacher. But I was ready for a change and now that I've been here I can't see myself doing anything else."
It may have taken her a little while, but what she realized was that being a director did not make her any less a teacher, an identity she cherishes.
"All of us are teaching the same thing," she said, referring to teachers of all subjects. "Responsibility, discipline, how to be good citizens of the world."
Still, teaching music and a love for it does have a special significance. Especially rewarding is watching students' confidence and talent grow. "To see a student who may have cried during a sophomore audition perform a solo as a senior is incredibly rewarding. To see the growth, and to see that leadership, talent, and confidence emerge, that is wonderful."
Whether a student uses a talent for music in their life isn't really of great concern to King. "You hope they use it, but the reality is they often don't," she said. What is important, though, is that students take away a knowledge and appreciation of music that will last the rest of their lives.
Like many, King can look back at a life in which events are marked by music. At a recent choir concert, King found herself becoming emotional because of the choir's performance of Mona Lisa. It wasn't because the performance was wonderful although, she said, it was, but because it was her father, Richard Rogman's, favorite song.
Hearing it performed so beautifully brought the memories flooding back, bridging the gap between now and the 18 years that have gone by since his passing.
It's not just about the feeling she received from hearing the song though. The students knew from early rehearsals how much the song meant to King, and she is convinced they worked that much harder because of it.
It isn't just the feeling one receives from music that is rewarding. For King, the feeling one can impart to another through music is just as important.
So what kind of music does a music teacher like? As one might expect, King is attached to the music of her time, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Beatles, Bob Dylan (although she noted that she prefers performing Dylan to listening to him), but her travels around the world, Africa, Europe, China, and all over North America, has created a special place for ethnic music, especially African and Irish music.
However, she also confessed to not listening to music much when she is away from her job. Like many musicians, King doesn't really get the concept of "background music. "If it's on, I have to be listening to it," she said. Instead, she admitted to listening to talk radio more often than not.
Being nominated for an award by a peer (band teacher Barry Zumwalde submitted her name) and having so many students and former students write on her behalf is another example of what makes King's job more than a job. Making, appreciating, and performing music, and revelling in the magic when it all comes together is more of an experience. An emotional roller-coaster of highs and lows, old memories and new.
"It's been a real ride," said King, laughing. "It's kept me young."
Comment from Deb Esmay, 3/26/07
Dear Renee:
So happy to hear that The Minnesota Music Education Association selected you as the "Choral Educator of The Year." I couldn't think of a better choice as an educator, musician, teacher, friend,and role model. You are a gift and a blessing to the North Branch school district and to all that get to know you! Congratulations and best wishes for the remainder of your teaching years. How lucky those students are to have been in your classroom. Here's wishing you a healthy and happy lifetime filled with music, laughter, and love. Deb Esmay
Comment from Tyler Olson & Josh Guyer, 4/9/07
Mrs. King,
We love you! Conrats we wish yu the best. Your the best teacher we ever had.
Love,
Tyler & Josh
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